Counter-Strike Source was covered a while ago in CPCG but we can’t possibly ignore Global Offensive. Valve’s latest instalment in the Counter-Strike series is not revolutionary, it’s an update to the series to modernise and add a few features, so more a step forward on the same path than a leap onto another.
But then you can’t really be expecting Counter-Strike to suddenly change in that kind of way as it’s pretty much already at its best. CSGO’s shooting is every bit as tight as always, the gameplay remains fast and intensely skill-based. If you’re not already a fan of the series it won’t be changing your mind, but if you are, or if you’re new (and have incredible patience), this is an upgrade you should enjoy.
[drop]There’s been a graphical upgrade as you might expect, though nothing that is likely to blow you away considering the ageing engine. Textures are higher res, guns are more detailed, but nothing that’s going to amaze. The important thing is that the game is incredibly smooth and, as always, the Source engine never stutters despite your 20 deaths every minute threatening to destroy your frame rate.The in-game interface has been improved, specifically when buying weaponry in the relevant modes. It’s a radial menu now, one that’s easy and quick to navigate once you’ve adjusted correctly. More improvements in-game come inspired by Team Fortress 2, such as dominating/being dominated by someone by killing/being killed by them many times in one round, not to mention the TF2-style camera zoom to your killer when you die, giving you the chance to take a screenshot of him by pressing F5. Naturally, the screenshots can be anywhere between “this is a blank screen, the camera is in a wall” and “Ha! He’s on fire!”, and it’s a welcome feature.
Perhaps chief amongst the new features are the new game modes, Arms Race and Demolition. The former is a gungame mode in which you’re in a deathmatch and, for every kill you get, you are given a different weapon instantly. The player who gets a kill with all the weapons first wins the match. Demolition, on the other hand, is a round based mode that has you with progressively weaker weapons after each kill, resulting in each kill being more challenging than the last.
So CSGO is a worthy sequel; faithful to the franchise’s fast-paced, skill-heavy gameplay, but better looking, new features, new guns, new modes and practically slick with polish. Is it worth £12? That’s up to you, it’s definitely an improved game and I feel it was worth it as I’ll be playing it for a long time.
You can get Counter-Strike: Global Offensive from Steam for £11.99 for both Windows and OSx.
mcphatty
Its definitely not the dogs bits graphics wise but the huge upside of this is that it runs smoothly on older computers, wohoo! I’d say it was like the step from Portal to Portal 2 in many ways, its totally worth buying if you like CS:Source.
And yep Jack is a counter terrorist, but Art Malik and the kids from Attack The Block are fighting for the T’s (in Office!), not far off a fair fight?
KeRaSh
I think it is very much worth the price. I played CS to death and paid more than I paid for CSGO. So far I’ve had a lot of fun playing CSGO.
Squalje
Definitely well priced and good value. My computer has had a massive increase in usage of late. Steep learning curve if you haven’t played CS before but feels very satisfying once you start to get good at it.
Tanzil
Been playing this whenever I get the chance. Feels different to 1.6 but a welcome change nonetheless. Also, I personally thought the graphics looked great.
Nickboss1
Any news on a psn eu release date?
Nickboss1
Thanks for nothing guys!
Peter Chapman
Ha! Are you seriously having a moan because nobody answered a question, in 5 hours, that it takes 5 seconds too google?
Nobody is taking responsibility for the SCEE absence of CS:GO so the official lines are still pretty much “as soon as we can make it happen.”
freezebug2
If you are keen to play the game already on PS3, you could easily set up a US account, buy a US network store card from ebay with instantly emailed card code, then just buy the game from the US store.
Also handy for future delayed EU releases that are released on time/early for the US. ;)
LTG Davey
Love this game. When played with mates it offers countless hours of entertainment. I checked my stats last night and I’ve racked up over 2000 kills in under a week! Seems that 10000 kills achievement is more obtainable than I first thought ;)
Ed the Penguin
I seriously have to check the spec requirements on this. I do want it for PC but I reckon I’ll need an upgrade. Has 360 got Steamworks this time?
LTG Davey
“Has 360 got Steamworks this time?”
‘fraid not. Nothing fancy like that.